is available on HBO Max. Availability may vary by region.

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Availability depends on regional licensing agreements.

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is usually available via paid platforms.

8.5 IMDb

94 Rotten Tomatoes

Where To Watch Smiling Friends – Season 1

Smiling Friends follows the bizarre employees of a tiny company whose entire purpose is to make unhappy people smile. At the center are Pim Pimling, an extremely enthusiastic optimist, and Charlie Dompler, his cynical and considerably less enthusiastic co-worker. Their boss, simply known as Mr. Boss, sends them on increasingly strange assignments, while Allan Red and the mysterious Glep add their own chaotic energy to the office. Season 1 begins with Pim and Charlie being asked to help Desmond, a deeply unhappy young man, but what sounds like an easy job quickly becomes a bizarre journey involving depression, demons and unexpected violence. From there, the duo encounter eccentric celebrities such as Mr. Frog, investigate the murder of food tycoon Simon S. Salty, venture into an Enchanted Forest, face the rival Frowning Friends, and even deal with Charlie's bizarre encounter with death.

Animation Comedy Satire

Release Date: January 10, 2022
Director: Michael Cusack , Zach Hadel , Jeff Liu
Genre: Animation , Comedy , Satire
Duration: 9 episodes 11–12 minutes
Language: English
Starring: Zach Hadel — Charlie Dompler, Glep
Box Office: Not applicable
Where To Watch: HBO Max

More details about Smiling Friends – Season 1 and where you can watch

Smiling Friends Season 1 is notable for the unusual way it blends different animation techniques and visual styles. Instead of making every character look consistent, the series intentionally mixes traditional 2D animation, CGI, live-action footage, crude internet-animation aesthetics, and other experimental techniques. This unpredictable visual style became one of the show’s trademarks and helps make even ordinary office scenes feel bizarre and unexpected.

One of the most interesting facts about Season 1 is that the pilot episode, “Desmond’s Big Day Out,” originally premiered on April 1, 2020, as part of Adult Swim’s April Fools’ programming. The full first season did not arrive until January 2022, meaning viewers had to wait almost two years after the surprise pilot to see the regular series continue.

The show’s two main creators, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, also provide many of the principal voices. Cusack voices Pim, while Hadel voices Charlie, creating the central comedic contrast between Pim’s enthusiastic optimism and Charlie’s cynical attitude. Their performances give the show much of its distinctive deadpan and chaotic humor.

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Did You Know

The casting itself contains some deep cuts for animation fans. David Firth, creator of the cult animated series Salad Fingers, voices Shrimp and other characters, while Harry Partridge, another well-known independent animator, also appears in the cast.